Altuve brings ultra-aggressive approach to Astros

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Jose Altuve has come to the Astros exactly as advertised and exactly as remembered, having a great bat for contact hitting and an aggressive approach that in his first week rivals any of the game’s quick triggers.

“I’m a kind of aggressive hitter,” Altuve put it mildly.

His three hits in Wednesday night’s win came in at-bats that totaled four pitches including the game-winner on a first-pitch, which he was admittedly guessing wrong.

“That’s exactly what he showed us two years ago in spring training when he came over and got some playing time,” manager Brad Mills said. “The reports have always said he’s aggressive.”

Hitting behind Michael Bourn, who if given a couple pitches and the right situation is always a threat to steal, Altuve has had no restrictions put on his aggressiveness.

“Michael is really good about that, and Michael usually tells the guys, ‘If I take off, don’t take pitches for me. Just go up there and swing,’ ” Mills said.

Bourn, Wynn team up

Michael Bourn will partner with Jimmy Wynn on the cleverly named “Bourn to Wynn” leadership program at the Astros’ Urban Youth Academy from August 1-3.

“It’s going to teach the kids how to reach their goals and be their own selves,” Bourn said. “We’ll just try to keep their attention and their attention span running in the right direction. Hopefully it will be something helpful for them.”

The program, which was announced Thursday, begins one day after baseball’s non-waiver trade deadline, and there is some interest on the market for Bourn’s skills.

“Hopefully I’ll be here, and hopefully the program will go on,” Bourn said. “I’ll know by Sunday. If I’m not gone by Sunday, I’ll get to run my program.”

Fantasy element

Bud Norris and his fantasy owners got good news as Jose Altuve’s dropped popup was changed from a hit to an error, giving Norris three fewer earned runs to his name from his July 22 start in Chicago.

Norris’ ERA went down from 3.60 to 3.39 with the change.

Catching up

Tony Cruz became the second Cardinals catcher to leave with an injury Thursday night after a foul ball bounced up and hit his right hand.

St. Louis catcher Gerald Laird and second baseman Nick Punto also left the game against the Astros with injuries.